Happy Diwali!
Diwali, observed primarily by Hindus, but also by Jainists, Buddhists, and Sikhs, is a significant holiday in Indian culture that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, or good over evil. Popularly known as the Festival of Lights, the holiday lasts for five days in November and is celebrated with prayers, music and dancing, good food, and – of course – lights, in the form of special lamps and candles, as well as fireworks. Potomac families who observe Diwali have many ways of celebrating it: Arya Bansal ’23 enjoys the prayers and the lighting of the colorful oil lamps called diyas, while Meera Desai ’25 looks forward to creating unique Rangoli designs.
The cultural origin story of Diwali follows Ram or Rama, an incarnation of The Protector Visnu, and his journey to save Sita, his wife, from the evil demon king Ravana. After Ram defeats Ravana and rescues Sita, the people of his kingdom, Ayodhya, help to guide him back home and celebrate his return by lighting diyas all across the kingdom.
Potomac’s middle school academic dean, Shefali Sardar, shares, “I associate Diwali with storytelling and mythology, which were an important way my parents shared their culture and religion with me. Diwali was a time for my parents to retell the story of Rama. I looked forward to hearing this story each year as a child.” Those who celebrate Diwali today often dress up in colorful gowns called lenghas and Indian suits called Kurtas. Families light diyas and use powder to make colorful patterns on the ground, called Rangoli. Shveta Khullar, Potomac’s interim director of auxiliary programs, says, “This festival is important to me because I get to share gifts and delicious meals with my family and friends.” For sixth grader Anya Sachdeva, the highlight of these special holiday meals is “the sweets!”
The leaders of the Upper School’s Indian Alliance, Arya Bansal ‘23 and Arya Kumar ‘23, led a US assembly this week to share the history of Diwali, as well as their personal stories about what the holiday means to them. They also provided a tasting of traditional celebratory foods.
In the Lower School, librarian Michelle O’Hara has been reading books about Diwali to her classes. Potomac parent Rosie Pandhi, mother of Karina (kindergarten), Laila (grade 2), and AJ (grade 5) spoke in all three of her children's classrooms about Diwali. She read stories about the holiday, showed traditional dress, and discussed traditions surrounding the festival.
We wish all of our families who celebrate Diwali a wonderful holiday
Contributors: Arya Bansal ‘23 and Arya Kumar ‘23
Diwali Dance Performances at Upper School Assembly